People and Lifestyle of Kumarakom-Life by the Backwaters
Kumarakom is not just a postcardperfect backwater paradise with houseboats and bird sanctuaries—it is also home to vibrant communities whose daily lives, traditions, and values interweave with the rhythms of the lake, the land, and the seasons. Understanding the people of Kumarakom gives any visitor deeper insight and richer experience. Here is a look into who they are, how they live, what they believe, what they eat, and how modernity meets tradition in this beautiful region.
Geography, Demographics & Settlement
- Kumarakom is part of Kuttanad, the ricegranary of Kerala, lying partly below sealevel and crisscrossed by lakes, canals and paddy fields.
- The village spans about 51.67 square kilometers, of which a large portion is lake or wetland. Dry land is interspersed with water channels and smaller islands.
- According to the 2011 Census, the population is approximately 22,422 people living in 5,382 households.
- Gender distribution is relatively balanced: slightly more females than males. These populations live in compact backwater communities, villages, near canals, on small islands or dry ridges among paddy lands. Homes are often simple but clean, with architecture that blends with the landscape—sloping tiled roofs, verandahs, walls of laterite, wood and plaster, sometimes “thatch” features or gardens by the water.
Traditional Occupations & Economy
The life of Kumarakom people has long been shaped by the natural environment—water, fertile soil, seasonal cycles. The principal livelihoods include:
1. Fishing & Aquaculture
- Fishing is central. Men and women both fish, though in different styles. Men use nets and boats; women wade in shallower waters, sometimes “neckdeep,” carrying pots to collect small fish or mollusks.
- The famous Karimeen (the Pearl Spot fish) is a prized catch in Vembanad Lake and nearby waters.
2. Agriculture & Farming
- Paddy cultivation in belowsealevel lands: Kuttanad’s paddy fields are worldfamous. Kumarakom shares in that legacy.
- Coconut trees are everywhere—coconut palms along lakes and canals; coconut produce (copra, oil, coir) plays a part. Bananas, cocoa, plantains, and other tropical fruits grow in smaller patches.
3. Shell Collection & Lime Making
- Freshwater mussels or musselshell banks in the lakes are harvested. Shells are collected, often by diving or wading, then burnt in kilns to make a lime used in local building.
4. Tourism & Services
- In recent decades, tourism has grown into a major livelihood. Houseboats, resorts, homestays, dining, guiding, souvenir handicrafts, local boats, etc. Many locals are employed in resorts and related service industries.
- Unique initiatives like Responsible Tourism (VLE – Village Life Experience) involve locals sharing their farming, fishing, handicraft skills with visitors.
Daily Life: Rhythm & Routine
- The rhythm of daily life in Kumarakom is closely tied to nature, seasons, water levels, and cultural norms.
- Morning routines often begin early, before sunrise. Fishermen go out to the lake, women may wade or dive for small catches, children head to schools. The air is fresh, the light is soft.
- Meals: Rice is central. Fish (freshwater or backwater fish) is a staple. Coconut features heavily (oil, milk, grated, raw). Other local foods: kappa (tapioca), kachcha banana, vegetables from home gardens. Breakfast might include idli, dosa, appam. Lunch and dinner probably have fish curry, vegetable sides, rice, coconut chutney etc.
- Clothing & Dress: People often wear traditional Kerala clothing—men in mundu (a kind of wraparound garment), women in saris or simple cotton clothing. White/lightcoloured clothes are common, especially among older generations. For daily work (in water, fields) more pragmatic clothes are used.
- Housing & Community Spaces: Homes are usually built near water or paddy fields, with generous verandahs or terraces. There may be small courtyards, fruit trees, garden plots. The canal banks, boat jetties, temple grounds, church or mosque courtyards often become gathering spots.
- Work & Crafts: Apart from fishing and farming, people are skilled in traditional crafts—coir making, weaving, wood carving, maybe bamboo/cane work, shellcraft. Women often manage home gardens, domestic chores, sometimes helping in fishing or crafts.
Culture, Religion & Festivals
- Kumarakom’s people are rooted in traditions and religion, which shape social life and festivals.
- Religions: Hinduism is predominant; there are also communities of Christians and Muslims. Religious harmony is common. Temples, churches, mosques are part of the daily landscape.
Festivals & celebrations:
- Onam is a major festival, with boat races, flower carpets, temple rituals, feasts. The boat race culture especially peaks around Onam.
- Local temple festivals, church feasts, mosque festivals bring people together. Traditional performances, music, dance are part of these.
Arts & Music
Traditional Kerala art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, folk music / vanchipattu (boat songs) are sometimes performed locally, especially during events or festivals. Local artisans also produce handicrafts.
Food & Cuisine
No telling of lifestyle is complete without food. In Kumarakom:
- Fresh fish and seafood feature heavily. Fish curry (with coconut, spices), prawn dishes, local fish types are valued.
- Rice is staple. Breakfast items include idli, dosa, appam, puttu. Side dishes often coconutbased, with vegetables from home gardens.
- Coconut is everywhere in various forms—oil, milk, grated, raw chutney. Also use of banana, jackfruit, local fruits, tubers like tapioca.
- Traditional beverages include toddy (from palm trees), local tea, and coconut water. During festivals and social gatherings, special sweets, payasam, banana chips etc. might be prepared.
Social Structures, Values & Community
- The people of Kumarakom are often described as peaceloving, hospitable, and connected to nature. Cleanliness, respect for neighbours, simplicity in living are commonly noted attributes.
- Family and community remain central. Extended families living nearby, help from relatives, mutual sharing in festivals, work (harvests, fishing), and communal ceremonies are part of life.
- Education is valued. Many younger people move to towns or cities for higher education or jobs, but maintain ties to their home villages.
- The “Village Life Experience” (VLE) and Responsible Tourism programs are examples of how communities try to preserve tradition while also engaging with visitors in sustainable, respectful ways. Through these, locals share their skills and take part in tourism in a way that preserves dignity and environment.
Challenges & Change
Like many places in Kerala and elsewhere, Kumarakom is changing—and adjusting:
- Tourism impact : While tourism brings income and opportunity, it also presents challenges—rising property prices, shifting employment, potential cultural change. Some locals adapt to tourism roles; others may feel the disruption.
- Environmental pressures : Water pollution, changes in water levels (due to dams, bunds, climate change), loss of mangroves, effects of fertilizer/pesticide on agriculture, etc. The community and local administrations have been active in countermeasures (environmental awareness programs, mangrove protection) through Responsible Tourism.
- Modernization & Lifestyle Shifts : Some younger people prefer modern housing, modern amenities, different clothing styles, education and jobs in urban areas, sometimes less interest in traditional occupations. Yet many still retain strong connection to traditional roots.